Mohawk Industries upgrading Spartanburg County manufacturing plant

July 17, 2014

$10 million investment to create around 20 new jobs

Mohawk Industries, the world’s largest flooring company, is investing $10 million in its Spartanburg County commercial carpeting facility over the next 10 years to substantially upgrade its looms and improve technology to support future business growth. The upgrade is expected to create approximately 20 new jobs at the facility, which currently employs around 160 individuals.

Mohawk Industries, based in Calhoun, Ga., operates two manufacturing facilities in South Carolina, including the Landrum plant in Spartanburg County as well as a facility in Bennettsville in Marlboro County. The 340,000-square-foot Landrum facility produces high-end, woven contract commercial carpeting for both domestic and international customers. Additionally, the plant manufactures aviation carpet for most domestic and some international airlines and airplane manufacturers.

Over the past decade, Mohawk has grown its business profile from an American carpet manufacturer into the world’s largest flooring company with operations in Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Europe, India, Malaysia, Mexico, Russia and the United States. In the U.S., Mohawk produces carpet, carpet cushion, rugs, ceramic tile, laminate and hard wood flooring and held the largest share of the domestic flooring market in 2013 according to industry reports.

The Landrum facility was built by the Sanford-Bigelow carpet company in 1953. Fieldcrest Cannon acquired Sanford-Bigelow in 1986 and merged the company with its Karastan division. In 1993, Mohawk acquired Karastan-Bigelow from Fieldcrest Cannon. Today, the Landrum team is part of Mohawk’s global workforce of more than 31,000, with around 1,150 employees in South Carolina at manufacturing sites in Landrum and Bennettsville as well as a distribution center in Orangeburg.

Mohawk Industries expects to begin hiring for the new positions after the first phase of upgrades is completed and continues to accept applications for other positions at the site. Individuals interested in positions with the company should visit www.mohawkcareers.com to apply.

QUOTES

“By modernizing the looms at the Landrum facility, we can update the styling of the carpet we produce there and keep the business viable for the men and women at the facility. This is a good investment for Mohawk and will help us remain the industry leader in high-end performance woven carpet. Mohawk is proud to be one of the few American companies making these types of products.” – Miles Wright, vice president of commercial manufacturing for Mohawk Flooring

“For more than 50 years, Mohawk has been an integral part of the Landrum community. As the world’s largest flooring company, they could have chosen to go anywhere, but they continue to expand here in South Carolina. We applaud Mohawk’s $10 million investment and 20 new jobs in Spartanburg County, which will support their customers around the globe.” -Gov. Nikki Haley

“From starting as an American carpet manufacturer to rising as a global leader, Mohawk has continued to grow and develop in South Carolina. As they continue to succeed, we will be right behind them adapting and growing too. I look forward to their continued contribution to our state and the impact they will have on our economic future.” -Secretary of Commerce Bobby Hitt

“The partnership between Mohawk Industries and Spartanburg County spans more than 60 years, and we are pleased they have chosen us from their global manufacturing network to invest in this state of art carpet manufacturing equipment. Mohawk’s loyalty to our community has been rewarded with a skilled and stable workforce with an average tenure of 15 years. We welcome the opportunities the next 60 years will present for the citizens of Spartanburg County and Mohawk Industries.” – David Britt, chairman of the Economic Recruitment Committee of Spartanburg County

FIVE FAST FACTS

Mohawk Industries is modernizing its Spartanburg County commercial carpeting facility.

$10 million investment to upgrade looms and technology will create around 20 new jobs.

Mohawk is the world’s largest floorcovering manufacturer with a strong presence in South Carolina.

The Landrum facility produces high-end, woven contract commercial carpeting as well as aviation carpet for domestic and international airlines and airplane manufacturers.

Mohawk Industries expects to begin hiring for the new positions when the first phase of the upgrade is completed. Visit www.mohawkcareers.com for hiring information.

About Mohawk Industries

Mohawk Industries is a leading global flooring manufacturer that creates products to enhance residential and commercial spaces around the world. Mohawk’s vertically integrated manufacturing and distribution processes provide competitive advantages in the production of carpet, rugs, ceramic tile, laminate, wood, stone and vinyl flooring. Our industry-leading innovation has yielded products and technologies that differentiate our brands in the marketplace and satisfy all remodeling and new construction requirements. Our brands are among the most recognized in the industry and include American Olean, Bigelow, Daltile, Durkan, Karastan, Lees, Marazzi, Mohawk, Pergo, Unilin and Quick-Step. During the past decade, Mohawk has transformed its business from an American carpet manufacturer into the world’s largest flooring company with operations in Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Europe, India, Malaysia, Mexico, Russia and the United States.

About S.C. Department of Commerce

As South Carolina’s leading economic development agency, the Department of Commerce works to recruit new businesses and help existing businesses grow. Commerce has recruited world-class companies to South Carolina such as Boeing, Bridgestone, Continental, Monster.com, ZF Group, BMW and Google Inc. and also supports small and existing business, rural development initiatives and community development. Commerce partners with the S.C. Technical College System via readySC to support workforce training and recruiting, and with the S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce, which provides worker training and employment opportunities within the state. South Carolina ranked first in the nation for attracting jobs through foreign investment, according to IBM-Plant Location International reports in both 2012 and 2013. The state won the Gold Shovel Award and the Project of Year Award from Area Development magazine in both 2014 and 2012. For more information, visit www.SCcommerce.com.